Several Colorado Lawmakers Respond To President’s Address To The Nation

DENVER (CBS4) – Tuesday night, President Donald Trump addressed the American public in his first prime-time speech from the Oval Office of the White House. He did not declare a national emergency, but said there is a crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border.

(credit: Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images)

The president and Congress have been unable to agree on a budget which would include funding for his Trump’s campaign promise of a border wall. The disagreement lead to a government shutdown stretching into its third week. It’s on track to become the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

Some lawmakers representing Colorado on Capitol Hill responded to the president’s remarks, including Sen. Michael Bennet, a Democrat and Colorado’s senior senator.

The #TrumpSpeech tonight showed @realDonaldTrump is willing to go to any length to get his ineffective wall, even at the expense of American workers and families. This shutdown is ridiculous. We must reopen the government.

“America is not a nation built on fear. The community I represent is made stronger by its immigrants and more vibrant because of its diversity. I will never stand silent when anyone, including President Trump, vilifies certain communities and attempts to divide us as a community. I will simply not tolerate fear mongering as a bargaining tool. I believe in smart, effective border security, but I will not waste billions of taxpayer money on an expensive and ineffective border wall. Tonight, President Trump proved once again that he is unwilling to recognize the facts on the ground and negotiate in good faith. Let’s open our government, quit the political games, and return to doing the business of the people.”

Rep. Joe Neguse, a Democrat elected to Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District in November, offered this statement:

Joe Neguse (credit: CBS)

“President Trump’s address tonight was based on fear, not facts. This administration’s demonization of immigrants most stop. There can be no dispute that the President has manufactured a crisis and is now holding our government hostage — forcing over 800,000 federal workers to go without pay and leaving government agencies unable to plan ahead. Put simply, enough is enough. It’s long past time for Senate Republicans and the President to end this reckless shutdown and re-open the government.”

Rep. Doug Lamborn (credit: CBS)

Rep. Doug Lamborn, a Republican who represents Colorado’s 5th Congressional District, has sent numerous tweets out recently that showcase his support of “legislation that funds the southern border wall.” A few hours before Trump’s speech he sent another tweet about border security:

In the past year alone, Border Patrol Agents assisted and rescued more than 4,300 people in distress along the border, a 20% increase over the previous year. Congress must pass sensible immigration legislation. #BorderWall

“We need to end this shutdown immediately and stop causing real harm to so many hardworking families. Like so many of my Democratic colleagues, I support finding ways to better secure our borders, but let’s have a real conversation about it – one that’s based in evidence instead of fear mongering. Let’s find ways to work together to find real solutions to some of the very real problems facing our country, instead of prolonging this ridiculous stalemate over a ridiculous border wall.”

What a bunch of idots! Never in my lifetime have I witnessed such a band of fools as the modern Democrats. There is a desperate need for control over our border with Mexico, and the wall is the best solution. But the Dumocrats prefer to make it into a fake issue, rather than deal with reality. But, then, that was always a problem for the Dumocrats.

Its Sad to watch the liberals play games!!! When they were all for it and now they are all against it??? WHAT! a game of politics while we the CITIZENS pay for their inactivity to SECURE OUR BORDERS! People die! WE PAY for everything! Children are Trafficked!! ITs DISGUSTING and at the news is Full of their usual bs.

To those that call this a manufactured crisis, Tell that to the THOUSANDS of people that have lost loved ones at the hands of illegal immigrants! I will also say this, just so people that don’t know, know this, the only reason why the democrats won’t provide funding for President Trump to secure our border is political, the more he succeeds (a non politician), the less their chances in 2020 to get the white house. It’s really that simple!!! Really does illuminate the quality of their character doesn’t it?